Drug Checking Coordinator

Drug Checking Coordinator

Job Title: Drug Checking Coordinator

Location: Syracuse

Position Summary: The Drug Checking Coordinator provides point-of-care drug checking services and harm reduction counseling to people who use drugs (PWUD). This position coordinates drug checking operations across multiple ACR Health locations, ensuring consistent program delivery, quality standards, equipment readiness, and accurate data reporting. The coordinator serves as a technical resource for staff and supports the expansion of drug checking and harm reduction services throughout ACR Health's 9-county service region. Regular travel to ACR Health facilities across the region is required.

Authority and Independence: The Drug Checking Coordinator works independently to coordinate multi-site drug checking operations, ensuring quality service delivery, data integrity, equipment readiness, staff support, and adherence to harm reduction principles.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a nonprofit agency providing direct client services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a social service or healthcare environment providing direct services to people who use drugs and/or members of underserved communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQI+ populations, preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals who use drugs, individuals impacted by the justice system, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those with mental health challenges, is highly preferred.
• Personal experience navigating housing instability, substance use, legal system involvement, and/or overdose is preferred and valued.
• Knowledge of substance use trends, the unregulated drug supply, and challenges affecting people who use drugs is highly preferred.
• Experience with, or knowledge of, FTIR spectrometry is preferred but not required. Interest in chemistry, toxicology, pharmaceutical sciences, or public health is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to communicate complex scientific, toxicological, and health-related information in a clear and accessible manner to individuals with varying levels of health literacy
• Strong attention to detail with demonstrated accuracy in sample analysis, documentation, and data reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace applications, spreadsheets, and database systems.
• Ability to develop and maintain tracking systems, inventories, reports, and program databases.
• Demonstrated commitment to harm reduction principles, participant autonomy, confidentiality, and ethical service delivery.
• Ability to maintain a non-judgmental, respectful, and empathetic approach when working with participants and community partners.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred.

Other Requirements

• Valid New York State driver's license and reliable access to a vehicle with current insurance for work-related travel, training, outreach, and occasional client transport. Personal vehicle ownership is not required, but consistent access is necessary.
• Ability to travel regularly to ACR Health locations throughout the Central, Mohawk Valley, and Northern New York regions.
• Ability to attend conferences, training, outreach events, and occasional weekend activities as required.

Primary Responsibilities

• Incorporate best practices regarding confidentiality into all job duties and communications in accordance with Article 27-F HIV Confidentiality Law, 43 CFR, HIPAA, ACR Health policies and procedures, and other applicable regulations. Protect agency data in accordance with established confidentiality protocols and industry best practices.
• Analyze drug samples using FTIR spectrometry and immunoassay test strips, interpreting and communicating results in a clear, accessible, and non-judgmental manner.
• Provide evidence-based information regarding the unregulated drug supply and emerging substance-use trends to participants, staff, and community partners.
• Deliver individualized harm reduction counseling and connect participants to relevant health, treatment, and community-based resources.
• Collect samples and accurately document participant information, test results, and outcomes in agency-approved databases and reporting systems.
• Participate in ongoing training and education related to drug checking technologies, toxicology, public health, and harm reduction best practices.
• Set up, transport, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure operational readiness of FTIR equipment and related testing supplies.
• Coordinate drug checking operations across multiple ACR Health service locations to ensure consistency in service delivery, quality assurance, and protocol implementation
• Serve as the primary resource for drug checking staff and technicians by providing technical assistance, operational guidance, and troubleshooting support.
• Monitor data collection, sample documentation, and reporting processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and confidentiality
• Develop, maintain, and monitor inventories, spreadsheets, tracking systems, and program databases
• Assist with onboarding, training, and ongoing support for staff, peers, interns, and volunteers engaged in drug checking services.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and revision of drug checking protocols, educational materials, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support and participate in research activities associated with the drug checking program.
• Collaborate with syringe service programs, outreach teams, harm reduction specialists, and program leadership to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery.
• Prepare reports, data requests, summaries, and program updates for agency leadership, funders, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Attend required meetings, training, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by agency leadership

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay.
• Life Insurance.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with agency contributions.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt. Hours per Week: 35. Work Schedule: Full-Time; primarily in-office and community-based. Regular travel between agency locations required. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required for outreach, conferences, training, and events.

Disclaimer: This job description provides an overview of primary duties and responsibilities. It is not exhaustive; additional duties consistent with the nature and level of the position may be assigned as needed.